Jane White, 110 years of age, died this date, August 2nd, in 1851 of “old age” and was buried at Bethel Burying Ground. According to census records, she was born into enslavement in the state of Delaware and was eventually manumitted. Coming to Philadelphia she went “in service” to a household in the Kingsessing section in the southwest part of the city. Servants who were “in-service” could lodge in the employer’s home or travel back to their own residence. The vast majority of single African American women lived-in while just the opposite was true with married women. (See W.E.B. DuBois, The Philadelphia Negro, p. 454.)
The 1847 African American Census registers a “Jane White” living at 7 Osborn’s Court located near the intersection of 8th and Walnut Streets in Philadelphia. She had a total of $35 in personal property and lived in a 9’x9′ room for which she paid $28 a year. Her occupation was that of a wash woman. Ms. White would have been approximately 100 years of age.
A young 19th Century African American woman and her employers.
Great work. Good luck to you. It appears 2 of my possible distant 1/2 cousins are buried here (according to your records), plus 2 of their relatives. I have also identified 2 more possible relatives of mine that are not on your current list of interrments that are supposed to be buried there. Do you have additional information about the individuals buried there that might help me make a 100% positive ID? Also, how do I submit the names of my 2 half cousins so they are included in your records?